When asked about Batshuayi's transfer to Monaco, during a news conference to present new signings Cesc Fabregas and Naldo on Wednesday, Vasilyev said: "We have an agreement with the player. We have an agreement with Valencia. For the time being, it [move] has been blocked by Chelsea because they prefer to sell the player."

No purchase option had been included in the deal that Monaco had negotiated with Chelsea for Batshuayi.